CIA director: ‘No intelligence’ indicating US on verge of nuclear war with North Korea

CIA Director Mike Pompeo told Fox News Sunday that another North Korean missile test would not come as a surprise amid the rising tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. “He conducted two in July, so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was another missile test,” Pompeo said, referring to North Korea’s leader.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that it would not come as a surprise if North Korea carries out another ballistic missile test. Pompeo added that he does not believe that the US and North Korea are on the verge of nuclear war. “I’ve seen no intelligence to indicate that we’re in that place today,” he told Fox News Sunday.

“I am quite confident that [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un] will continue to try to develop his missile program, so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was another missile test,” Pompeo stated. “He conducted two in July, so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was another missile test.”

Speaking in his first interview since becoming the director of the CIA in January, he stressed that the era of “strategic patience” with Pyongyang is over. “Each time they test another missile, or if they should conduct a nuclear weapons test, they develop expertise,” he added. “They expand the envelope.”

Over the past week, the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have increased. Yesterday, JOL News reported that the North Korean regime sent a warning to Washington: “If the Trump administration does not want the American empire to find its tragic end during its term, it is best that they speak and act properly.” ABC News reported that the message was broadcasted by the state-run KCNA news agency.